NFL Playoff Picture: 3 Bubble Teams That Don't Deserve Playoff Berths

When we think of playoff teams such as the Green Bay Packers, New Orleans Saints, Pittsburgh Steelers and New England Patriots, we know they earned their berths because of consistent play.

None relied on the help of another team to sneak in, controlling their own destiny has been at the forefront all season long. That being said, there are some teams left who are lucky and fortunate to still be alive for the postseason.

So, here are three teams who don't deserve to get in.

Tennessee Titans (8-7)

After the first month of the season, the Tennessee Titans appeared to be the front-runners in the AFC South. They had wins over the Ravens and Broncos who remain as their only victories over a winning team.

Since their 3-1 start the Titans are 5-6, have not beaten a team with a winning record and even fell to the then-winless Indianapolis Colts in Week 15. The run game never really got going and it's no surprise they rank 31st in averaging just 90 yards on the ground per contest.

Throughout the year Tennessee has arguably played more inconsistently than anyone and are somehow still alive for the postseason. Needing a lot of help, it will be strictly luck if the Titans get in, provided they beat a banged up Houston Texans team.

New York Jets (8-7)

We've seen what the Jets have done in the postseason the last two seasons and it was impressive. Unfortunately 2011 has been an extreme disappointment and Gang Green is once again in need of assistance to sneak into the postseason.

The offense lacks any kind of explosion whatsoever (307 total yards per game, ranks 27th) and the defense is average in stopping the run (ranks 15th, allows 113 per game) . After how they were slammed the past two weeks by the Eagles and Giants, the Jets don't deserve a playoff berth.

They've literally been on a roller-coaster season in not winning more than three games in a row (twice) and are on the verge of losing three games in a row once again. Rex Ryan and Co. have never gotten into a rhythm and need so much help to get in, the Jets need to rebuild in the offseason.

Dallas Cowboys (8-7)

With just one postseason win since the 1996 NFL season, can we really think the Dallas Cowboys will make some noise in January? No.

And although the Cowboys do control their own destiny, win and they're in, they shouldn't be in this position to begin with. After winning four straight games and sitting at 7-4, Dallas has lost three of four and is fortunate to have a Week 17 playoff game at New York.

Sure the Giants have also been inconsistent and are 8-7, but Big Blue had to play New England, San Francisco and Green Bay all within a span of one month. The Cowboys were swept by Philadelphia, barely beat Miami and Washington and lost to Arizona.

For as great as the Cowboys are supposed to be, they're underachieving and at least the Giants have proven they can win in the postseason.

Follow John Rozum on Twitter @ Sportswriter27